Beckham: World's sexiest man

Soccer heart-throb David Beckham has kicked Robbie Williams off the top spot to be named the world's sexiest man.

Williams has dominated Company magazine's annual readers poll for four years but has to be content with being runner-up this year.

Beckham moved up from last year's number seven to top the list ahead of TV, pop and movie hunks.The Manchester United ace, the first man to feature on the cover of Company in 25 years, has won a legion of fans for his soccer skills and singular style.

New entries in the top 10 include Pearl Harbour star Josh Hartnett at number four, singer Enrique Iglesias at nine and teenage Pop Idol Gareth Gates at 10.

Gates's pal Will Young came in at number 13, with many women impressed by his looks despite him being gay.

Hugh Grant's performance in About A Boy seems to have upped his sexiness, taking him from last year's 49 to five in 2002.Jamie Theakston's popularity shot up in the past 12 months, despite his admission that he visited a brothel earlier this year. He rose 57 places to number 24.